Laurence Olivier Awards needs you

The Laurence Olivier Awards, the UK’s most prestigious theatre accolade, is recruiting panellists to judge the 2010 winners and see a year’s worth of free theatre in the process.

Ten theatregoing members of the public are being sought by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), which runs the Laurence Olivier Awards, to join with esteemed professional judges in selecting the very best of London’s theatre.

The chosen panellists, who have to prove their passion for theatre, opera or dance as part of the selection process, will spend 2009 at theatres around the capital trying to decide which are the best productions and performances of the year. No qualifications are needed to become a Laurence Olivier Award panellist, though applicants must be over 18, within easy travelling distance of London and able to dedicate themselves to attending a vast array of productions throughout 2009.

The Laurence Olivier Awards were first staged in 1976, when they were known as the Society of West End Theatre Awards. Held annually, they recognise the theatrical achievements of London’s Theatreland, widely regarded as the theatre capital of the world. Previous Laurence Olivier Award winners include Judi Dench, who has seven awards, Ian McKellen, Alan Bennett, Richard Eyre and Stephen Sondheim, who have six statuettes each.

Interested applicants can collect a leaflet from any West End theatre, request a form from awards@solttma.co.uk, send a self-addressed envelope to Awards Office (P), 32 Rose Street, London WC2E 9ET, or apply online. The closing date for applications is 28 November 2008.